Wednesday 22 May 2013 14.46 EDT
First published on Wednesday 22 May 2013 14.46 EDT

The Wigan Athletic chairman, Dave Whelan, has said he expects Roberto Martínez to decide whether he is staying with the relegated FA Cup winners on Thursday.

Martínez and Whelan met on Wednesday to discuss the club's plans following relegation from the Premier League, and the manager's uncertain future. The 39-year-old has been heavily linked with the manager's position at Everton following David Moyes's departure for Manchester United, while Stoke City and Málaga have also been mentioned as potential destinations as they prepare for life after Tony Pulis and Manuel Pellegrini respectively. Everton and Stoke say they have not yet made any approaches in their search for a new manager.

Whelan, however, claims his manager has several options, including whether to attempt to guide Wigan back to the top flight next season. "Roberto wants 24 hours to think about what is going on," the Wigan chairman said. "Tomorrow is D-day."

Martínez is under contract at the DW Stadium until 2014 and Whelan believes his manager's decision also rests on whether he wishes to continue with the club following relegation. He added: "I had a meeting with Roberto at noon today. It was a very constructive meeting where we discussed all kinds of things – winning the Cup, our relegation, our prospects for next season.

"Roberto wants to speak to his wife, think about it, which I fully understand. We are going to meet tomorrow and Roberto is going to make his mind up whether he wants to continue his contract with Wigan or whether he wants to take up a new position elsewhere. There is a massive amount of loyalty between Roberto and myself. If he wants to stay, that is fantastic and I will be over the moon. But if he decides he wants to move on I will fully respect that and I will give him every bit of support I can."

Everton are taking their time over a replacement for Moyes, and have denied reports in Portugal that Porto's coach, Vitor Pereira, has agreed a two-year deal at Goodison Park.

Stoke have only just commenced their search having parted company with Pulis on Tuesday. Pulis issued a statement through the League Managers Association that lists the achievements from his "wonderful adventure" with Stoke but confirmed his disappointment at leaving after seven years.

It read: "Peter [Coates, the owner], his family and I have enjoyed every inch of the journey; he has been truly a fantastic man to work with. Although I am disappointed, I do understand what he means when he says the board feels a need to take the club in a different direction. In leaving I am very proud of what we have all achieved."